30: The Color Green

"What a piece of work is a man! how noble in reason! how infinite in faculty! in form and moving how express and admirable! in action how like an angel! in apprehension how like a god! the beauty of the world! the paragon of animals! And yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust? man delights not me: no, nor woman neither, though by your smiling you seem to say so."

-William Shakespeare

The ride was awkwardly quiet.

The pair had been taken to a covered carriage and it had been nearly a half and hour as they rode along toward whatever the mysterious destination was for the date. She didn't really know what to say and was distracted herself with more thoughts of the project that Byakuya had had her read over. Those had kept her busy for the majority of the trip but as she had fallen into the habit of thinking in circles she knew she needed to do something else.

"So." She spoke softly, figuring talking to him was part of what they were suppose to be doing anyway. "Where do you think they are taking us if it's this long of a trip?"

"If I had to guess…there is a small section on the edge of the first district of Rukongai that holds several restaurants and spas that are popular amongst those of the citizens that have the money to afford them. I would assume that is our destination. It is quite a travel to move from the center of the Court of Pure Souls to the edge of the Soul Society."

"Oh." Kagome answered at the explanation. "So will it just be some sort of dinner?"

"Possibly. Though from what was implied I believe they expect us to spend a few days there so I would think it includes a stay at one of the spas and several meals." He replied, looking at her only cause the windows were covered.

She was very pretty in the kimono and hair style they had chosen for her. He recognized that the pattern of colors were set up to compliment the uniform he normally wore. Though a fine dark red fur had been added to her wardrobe to help keep her warm in the chilly early winter weather…it had once belonged to his mother though he only remembered seeing it once or twice before.

"That's odd…they don't want us to continue my training?" Kagome asked, she was curious but just as much wanted to talk so the silence wouldn't keep up.

"Some of the texts were loaded along with luggage. Though anything further we need throughout the stay will be brought upon request." He replied with a shrug. "Though I am wary to have you practice magic outside of a controlled setting."

"Yeah…do you want to do the Mental Instruction thing you had me read about?" She glanced at her lap, fiddling with the soft fur between her fingers. "That's why you had me look it over right?"

"I wanted to see if it was acceptable to you before such a course was taken." Byakuya watched her bashful behavior with a bit more interest than usual. Noting that her more outgoing nature seemed to be receding often as of late when they spoke. "If after reading through the research you are still amiable to the idea it shouldn't be difficult to get the needed equipment."

"Not with Kurotsuchi's death, his daughter will likely approve most non detrimental requests." Byakuya thought idly. "Which reminds me…"

"Kagome…you seem to know much of this fellow that killed Kurotsuchi. You only mentioned him vaguely in your talk of passing through time." The captain commented. "Care to explain why he seemed intent on looking after you?"

"I don't know." Kagome blinked at him like he'd dropped cold water on her. She hadn't really realized that he had been acting protective, or how much him being able to wield the Tetsuaiga without it's barrier rejecting him meant until that moment. "I…maybe it is just because he knew me then. That we fought Naraku together…"

"She's definitely not lying." The cool soul reaper observed. "Why does the thought of him concern you so greatly?"

"Well…Sesshomaru was always the one creature in that time that was frighteningly powerful." Kagome paused as she remembered just how dangerous things became when Sesshomaru was nearby…like the morning yesterday when he'd wiped away his opponent almost instantly. "He was something that could rarely be touched by the people around him. The idea that he's had centuries to develop that even more just makes me scared to be nearby if he decides to get serious. You were there…you saw just a glimpse of what he's capable of."

"Kurotsuchi was never as smart as he believed he was." Byakuya commented, as if the words somehow lessened the show of power they'd witnessed. "Though those swords of his…you recognized them."

"Yeah." She smiled a little awkwardly, still playing with the deep burgundy fur. "The Tensaiga and the Tetsuaiga. The two were forged from his fathered fangs."

Byakuya watched her expectantly, waiting for more than that.

"The Tensaiga was a sword of healing, it can revive the dead to life…it has always had a connection to the spiritual world. That's probably why it reacted so strongly when he used it with his dragon strike…" She shrugged a little, continuing to explain. "The Tetsuaiga was a sword of destruction and battle, with the wind scar it is said it could fell a hundred foes in one swipe. They were both vary dangerous…each with powers and other abilities of their own."

He took in the information with a mixture of serious concern for what such a foe could mean against soul society but also in a bit of personal annoyance for just how highly Kagome thought of this individual. Something about the memory of her gazing at him in awe just got under his skin more than the soul reaper cared to admit.

"I'm still a little nervous about what he said about checking on me if I don't go back to my world." Kagome said as she tried to read Byakuya's expression. "He said three months, do you think that could have something to do with the way they moved up the plans?"

"Possible but unlikely." Byakuya replied, interpreting Kagome's feeling's easier than she could his. "Though such an ultimatum couldn't just be ignored from a warrior of his caliber should he become a threat."

"Hmm…maybe they'll give me a chance to visit home so I can finally talk to him. I had a lot of questions for him anyway about my friends from the feudal era." Kagome commenting, smiling some at the idea of being able to find and talk to Sango and Miroku's descendants.

"I will speak to the nobles about it." Byakuya replied, still watching her various reactions. "I think that if it will avoid issues with that individual they might allow you a trip home. It would be expected to allow you to speak to your family as well upon their return from their vacation."

"Yeah…" She grew more somber at that thought. "Poor mom…I keep doing these things to her…"

Byakuya wasn't given a chance to reply before the carriage came to a halt, the door opening a moment later and blasting them both with cooler air as the inside was warm after the fairly long trip. She accepted help from the man that opened the door down from the carriage, eyes scanning the long building where they had arrived.

It didn't seem anything particularly special, it was exceptionally longer than any other building she'd yet seen in the soul society though it was very clean and the simple landscaping on it's outside was well kept. Byakuya stepped out of the carriage after her, eyes also scanning their new setting.

They were moved into a building that let them back into the warmth again. Though instead of the dry warmth often brought by fires or modern heaters it was a humid heat. Water was warmed through the inside walls in intricate patterns that created occasional patterns. The length of both sides of the entryway had rectangular pools, a full variety of colorful fish floating amongst coral inside the clear water.

"Lord Kuchiki." The young woman at the front desk slid right over to the taller man flirtatiously, taking one of his arms. "It is a pleasure to have a man of your exceptional stature and grace with us. It has been far too long sense you had a visit here."

Kagome resisted the frown that began to edge on her face as the woman flirted with Byakuya, instead looking at the beautiful pool-tanks of fish and coral. It was a good excuse as any to ignore the rude woman and listen in. She had an internal cheer though when Byakuya took the woman's hand off his arm with his cool demeanor. "Finally that coldness pays off."

"I am engaged Lady Natsumi." The soul reaper commented coldly. "Don't touch me again. Where will we be staying?"

"Well." the girl clicked her tongue, seeming not at all insulted by the reminder and the being politely pushed away. "we didn't have multiple rooms available on such short notice. However, I was told it was acceptable to put you in one of our suites together. If you want me to put her in another room though I'm sure I could get one of the closets cleaned out."

Kagome got a little more rigid at that insult. "Who the hell does this woman think she is?"

"A suite is perfect." Byakuya replied, leaning closer to the woman and taking her wrist. Whispering lowly enough that Kagome couldn't hear him. "If you insult my future wife again you'll find that I will not be amiable as to my response in the future."

The woman smiled back and glanced at Kagome, who was now looking curiously as she couldn't have heard what was said. "Now now, you should wait to suggest that sort of thing when your future bride isn't in the same roo…"

Her quip was interrupted by a backhand from the irritated Byakuya, narrowed dark eyes on the girl that had spun and fallen to her knees from the stars still sparkling in front of her eyes at the harsh strike. "Learn your place…if you ever dare imply that I would desire to touch so lowly a creature as you again you'll be lucky to survive to get tossed into the lower streets. Your title doesn't exempt you from the fact that you are a whore. Come Kagome, this place of business is not suitable for our presence."

Kagome meanwhile was gaping wide eyed at the girl that he'd slapped, still unaware of just what had been whispered. She could guess however that what the girl implied he was implying was a false implication, she almost fell over when he took her hand to pull her away.

"At least he never smacked me like that when he thought I was a prostitute." She thought idly as she stumbled after him and back into the chill. Staying quiet as he ordered the people that had begun to carry their luggage to the building to take it back to the carriage.

"Stop." There was little room for argument, his cold tone had a dangerous edge that no one there was about to argue with. "Return the luggage. We're leaving."

"Lord Kuchiki…lord Kuchiki…please wait." A smaller man came rushing from the building's front, bowing as he moved. He was one of the shortest people Kagome had seen here. He seemed middle aged and stressed, pushing a small set of glasses up his nose each time he bowed and they started to slide down. He came to a stop as he noted the glare he was getting from the noble he was addressing. Sputtering for a time before managing to find his voice again. "I…we greatly apologize for Natsumi…she is being removed from her position here and will no longer be allowed on the premises. I cannot express the disgust I feel for her unacceptable actions."

He was almost touching the ground he'd bowed so low, Kagome felt a little sorry for the man and was still in general confused as to just what had happened. Byakuya let him squirm for a while before speaking again.

"Understand this." He hadn't yet turned fully around, one eye staring balefully at the nervous frazzled man bowing behind him. "If there is a hint of impropriety on the part of myself or the Priestess Kagome I will have your business taken apart brick by brick while you helplessly watch. If I even hear that that whore has taken a step on your grounds during our stay, you'll be the one taking it apart."

Kagome blinked a little, she knew that he could be cold but she was surprised at how aggressive his whole demeanor had turned. She was watching the exchange with nervous interest, she had never seen him like this and it was a hint of just the station Byakuya did hold here.

"Completely." The man's tone seemed on the edge of tears as he groveled. "I can never apologize enough…please, let me show you to your rooms. I'll make certain that your stay is the best you've ever had…I…"

"Be silent and lead us. These games grow tedious." Byakuya remarked, finally turning around and gesturing the man before offering Kagome an arm.

She was getting really good at the surprised blinking stare…lots of practice helped that. Though she timidly offered Byakuya her arm and fell into step…blushing under the mask of her make-up and the cool weather…exceptionally glad for the excuses. It was the first time he'd specifically offered to walk on the same level with her.

The sweating manager and Byakuya were silent along the walk so Kagome took the time to consider the building instead. There seemed to be other people here but many kept their distance, whispering and staring, occasionally pointing at them when they passed. The building itself had amazing architecture on the inside. Pools seemed to be littered everywhere, water running not just through the walls visibly at points but also the ceilings.

They were lead up a circular staircase into areas that had carpeting - that detail alone a show that the place was definitely high class. Though the side areas were more closed off and there was little to see other than a few paintings hung between the unique piping in the walls.

The room where they were to stay had it's own spa area separate from a pool in it's main area…though the single bed (even if it was large) made her a tad nervous. "Just what are they intending on these dates?"

"Have our things brought in and left in the entry area." Byakuya commented, interrupting the man before he could start on a new torrent of apologies. "Go."

"Yes Lord Kuchiki." Was all the jumpy man managed before almost running out of the room.

"Whatever that girl did wasn't his fault." Kagome commented, a little amused at the way the guy jumped. "Did you have to take it out on him like that?"

"It's a matter of principles…the fact that that woman even has a title is disgraceful…" Byakuya commented darkly. "Though it is just as well that it was worked out. I can't imagine the royals would take well to us refusing their idea for spending time together."

"Yeah…just um…what do they want us to do?" Kagome asked curiously…it took some willpower not to glance at the single bed in the connecting bedroom. "It seems like the place is mostly here for swimming…so much water."

"Perhaps they picked this establishment in hopes you wouldn't be able to burn it down." Byakuya commented, though his voice had lost it's edge from moments before. It made Kagome start to fluster and then pause.

"Wait…did you just tell a joke?" She smiled some. "Guess I should look out…the sky might fall soon."

"Only if you start casting." He replied, though he didn't smile his tone was lighter than usual. And by 'lighter than usual' it was less cold. "Then we all might be doomed."

She looked around and then tossed a pillow at him that was settled on the floor. Smiling when he offered her an honestly surprised look and wrinkling her nose at him before moving to look at the room more fully… "Oh…there are bathing suits here…it'll be nice to get to just relax for a while."

"Is there a reason you tossed a pillow at my head?" Byakuya asked curiously, still holding the offending projectile where he'd caught it a few inches from impact before lowering it and tossing it back to the pile in one of the corners.

"You deserved it." Kagome replied, exiting the closet again, smiling at him still. "I'm sorry if this is too direct…but are we going to eat? We traveled for a long time and I haven't eaten sense getting prepared this morning."

"Yes." Byakuya nodded at the question, accepting the change of topic. "While they are bringing our things up we can go to the restaurant they have here. Unless you'd rather they bring up a meal, from what I understand wearing such dress becomes difficult after a while. You have gone along with it for sometime…you are welcome to relax as you said."

"Oh…I thought you liked all this…proper manner of dress…type stuff." Kagome said lamely. "I mean, it is nice to dress up sometimes, but other times it is nice to relax. How about we enjoy dinner before I let myself go."

"Then shall we?" He offered a hand, making her blush as it always did but she wasn't as surprised this time, accepting it with another smile sent his way.

"Well…putting the order to marry him aside…being forced to date a cute guy like Byakuya isn't that bad." She thought as she fell into step with him again. "He has a nice side."

End Chapter

Shorter than the past chapters. A lull in feedback lately makes me a little more meh about working on stuff. I suppose I'll gain interest for continuing sometime.

-Aura

P.S. Thanks for the folks reading and reviewing. It's just disappointing to put in a load of work and see a load of hits but have three or four people say anything about it. Ihaveprobs, I decided to say she'd rarely seen snow cause the only time I ever witnessed it in the series at all was during the first movie - which isn't even a part of the canon in the manga.